Cincinnati Reds: Defense shining through first month of the season
· Yahoo Sports
Apr. 27—Last summer, when the Cincinnati Reds traded for Gold Glove third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, the organization provided a reminder of how much it's prioritizing infield defense. So far this year, that infield defense has been a key part of the team's success.
"We've talked about it from Day 1," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "We want to be a pitching and defense team. We play in a hitter-friendly ballpark. If you maximize getting outs, it'll help the pitching staff. We want to be a good pitching team. That's something we've talked about for the last few years."
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Hayes has struggled to hit as a Red. After the trade last year, the coaches identified a few tweaks that they believed would help him elevate the ball and hit for some more power. So far, that hasn't translated into results. However, he has made his impact with his glove.
"We know the type of defender he is," Terry Francona said. "It's our responsibility to get a lineup where whatever he hits, we can live with it because the defense is so good."
Hayes' presence at third base has helped Elly De La Cruz, who looks very good defensively so far. Hayes is stepping up to field some of the charging ground balls between them. And De La Cruz looks much better ranging deep to his right to make difficult plays.
Last week against the Marlins, he made one of the best plays of his career as he dove headfirst into the outfield, fielded a rocket ground ball and made an extremely quick throw to first for the out.
"He has been healthy, which helps a lot," Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides said. "He put all of the work in in the spring, and he continues to follow a routine. It's another year of experience. Another year under his belt. The improvement is what we like. We want to see it on a daily basis. He's doing it."
While Matt McLain isn't swinging the bat great yet, he's one of the best second base defenders around. His ability to quickly turn double plays is a huge strength. He's also much more confident making diving plays to his right this season, Francona said.
First baseman Sal Stewart's offensive production has been one of the most exciting parts of this MLB season. Also, his defensive development is really flying under the radar.
Stewart had effectively never played first base before last season. He has spent most of his life at second and third base. Last September, the Reds made the unfair ask of having him learn first base on the fly for a team fighting for a playoff spot.
He had a full offseason to train at that position this winter, and he has improved significantly.
"He put a whole lot of work in," said Benavides, who is the team's primary infield coach. "It's outstanding. It was not an easy transition. Having to learn in a September race trying to get into the playoffs, he handled himself well. It's not easy what he did. He'll be even better this year."
Stewart is constantly working on scoops at first base with Reds assistant bench coach Mike Napoli, who's a former big league first baseman. Stewart's technique has shown significant development, and he's also able to range into the outfield to catch short fly balls.
At the start of spring training, Eugenio Suárez was expected to play a bit of first base. Stewart has been playing so well that Suárez has stopped training at first base.
Between Hayes, De La Cruz, McLain and now Stewart, the Reds have a formidable infield defense that's consistently picking up pitchers.